Three-wheeled self-propelled vehicle



AQ'BIAG! AND G. CASALIS.

THREE WHEELED SELF PROPELLED VEHICLE. APPLICATION HLED mmao, 1920.

,371 ,842, Pafiented Mar 15, 1921.

8 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Maw/4 diam/7m 441w:

A. BIAGI AND G. CASALIS.

THREE WHEELED SELF PROPELLED VEHICLE APPLICATION FILED IAN.30, I920.

1,37 1,842. Patented Mar. 15, 192 1.

8 SHEETSSHEET 3.

A. BlAGI AND G. CASALIS'. THRE E WHEELED SELF PROPELILED VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED .'AN.30, 1920.

Patented Mar. 15,1921.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

A. BIAGI AND G. CAS'ALIS.

THREE WHEELED SELF PROPELLED VEHhCLE.

APPLICATION FILED mmao. 1920.

Patented Mar. 15, 1921.

8 SHEETSSHEET 5 A. BIAGl m) G. CASALIS. T HREE WHEELED SELF PROPELLED VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED IAN-30, I920.

Patented Mar. 15, 1921.

a SHEETS-:SHEET 6.

WE E Q.lfi x A H'TO -0 r p .00 A w A l A. BIAGI AND G. CASALIS.

THREE WHEELED SELF PROPELLED VEHICLE. APPLICATION men JAN-30, 1920.

1,371,842. Pgtnted Mar. 15,1921.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

umbo? 54min A. sum AND G.- CASALIS.

THREE WHEELED SELF PROPELLED VEHICLE- APPLICATION FILED JAN. 30. 1920 1,371,842. Patented Mar/15,1921.

8 SHEETSSHEET 8.

gvwantoz QZZ if I 61860 7770 6 55x215 smear caries.

THREE-WHEELED SELF-PROPELLED VEHICLE..

Application filed January 30, 1920. Serial No. 355,108.

An important object of the invention is.

to produce such a vehicle which is pleasing to the eye and at the same time strongly constructed.

A further object is to provide a novel combined transmission and differential.

A further object is to provide a, novel suspension in this type of vehicle whereby construction of the vehicle is greatly simplified. A further object is to provide an adjustable flexible drive for such vehicles, consisting of a drive from the motor to the transmission and a second drive from the transmission to the driving wheels both of which drives, are accomplished by belts or chains and may be readily adjusted.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the course of the following description. 1

' In the accompanying drawings wherein for thepurpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of our inventionand wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a vehicle constructed in accordance with our inventionl 3 Fig. 2 is a plan View thereof. Fig. 3 is a front elevation thereof.

Fig. is a view showing the mounting ofthe differential and transmission and the drives to the rear axles.

Fig.5 is a section taken on the line 5+5 of Fig. 4e.

Fig. 6 ispa section taken on the-line 6 6- of Fig. 4.

. Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 7-7 of F ig. 6. v

Fig. 8 is a perspective showing the operation of the clutch releasing pedal.

Fig. 9 is a section showing the "front fork suspension. V

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 15, 1921.

Fig. 10 is a. section taken on theline 1010 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail viewof the drive shaft mounting and rear axle adjustment, and V Fig. 12 is a sectionon the, line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings the numeral 11 indicates .the front fork suspension receiving member to which are secured supporting frames 12 and 13. These supporting frameseach comprise an upper tubular vmember l4 and alower I tubular member 15 which are, as clearly shown 1n Flgs- 1 and '2 substantially parallel throughout the major portion of their lengt. I

The frame members 12 and 13 diverge from the member 11 as clearly shownin Figs. 1 and 2' and then extend downwardly to a point 17 where they turn rearwardly and are disposed parallel to the ground. The members lt and 15 of each of the side members are spaced and connected by cross bars 16.. By inspecting Fig. 2 it willwbeseen that the side members 12 and 13 of the frame diverge rearwardly until they ar-- rive at a point 18 from which they extend. rearwardly in substantiallyparallel horizontal planes. v 4 l The rearend -of the lower member 15 of each side memberis turned upwardly as at 19, the upper member 14 continuing rearwardly and joining the'lowen' member as at 20. Securedto the upper member'is an'up wardly extending fmember 21which is connected at its upper end with a horizontal member 22 which has its op'posite'end con-1 nected with the upper end of the member 15.

Adjacent their forward ends the upper members 14 of the frame members 12 and 13 are connected by a cross bar 23 which. forms a sup aort for the forward end of the steering mec ianism. Adjacent the point17 of'the side .members the lower'memb'ers 15 are connected by a cross bar 24, and the upg, per members 14 are connected by a cross bar 25. The cross bars 24.- and 25 lie in substantially the same horizontalplane and form engine supports.

Rearwardly of the engine supports-a pair of alined cross bars 16 areconnected'by a cross member 26, which forms a-support for the foot operated controls of the vehicle. Adjacent the rear end of the vehicle the lower end of the member 11.

ter elliptic spring.

members are connected by a pair of cross braces 27 and 28which form a support for the transmission and differential gearing. At the junction of the members 21 and 22, the side members are connected by a cross bar 29 which forms the forward support for the seats of the vehicle. At the juncture of the members 15 and 22 the side members 12 and 13 are connected. by a cross bar 3.0 which forms a supportfor the rear portion of the spat and for the back portion of the body. 1 i

The endsof the member 22 extend rearwardly as at31 andhave -mounted thereon shackle plates 32 which support the forward end of the upper quarter 33ofzathreequar- A member 34 is secured to each of the members 21 of the side frames and has lnounteditherein an eccentric 35 to which is secured the forward end of-a half elliptic spring 36having its rear end connected with the spring 33 bymeans of links 37 It will be obvious that the rear axle 38 being secured to the spring 36 may be adjusted rearwardly by adjnstingthe eccentric 35. The operation andconstruction of the parts 34 and 35 and their associatedelements will be hereinafter more fully de scribed. i. a i i The member 11 which connects the forward ends of the side frames 12 and 13 is tubular inform and isprovided upon its upper and lower ends withone halfof a ball race 39. A member 40 is provided having pivotally mounted therein a shaft 41 to which are pivotally connected the sides42 ofthe front fork. Each of the sides ofthe front fork comprises downwardly extending members 43 and 44 which are joined at their lower ends and a cross member 45 which connects the members 43 ando44 at their upper ends. The point of pivotal connection of the sides 42 to the shaft 41, lies in the junction of the arm 43 with the connecting member 45. i 1

The member 40 is provided with a flange 46 liaving a groove formed therein adapted to cooperate with the ball race 39 on the A shaft 49 extends upwardly from the member 40 through the member 11 and has mounted upon its upper end and secured thereto a yoke 50. The upper end of the shaft 49 is screw threaded to receive a nut for holding the yoke 50in position, and this end of the shaft and the nut are covered bya suitable ornamental cap 51. a The lower face of the yoke 50 is provided with a groove adapted to coiiperatewith ball race 39 formed on the upper end of the member 11.

The member 52 is provided having a shaft 47 rotatably' mounted therein which shaft is inturn connectedwith side members 42 0f the fork at the juncture of the sections 44 and 45 thereof. The member 52 has an internally threaded bore adapted to receive the screw threaded lower end of a shaft 53'. This member is also provided with an externally threaded flange 54 to receive the lower end of an internally threaded casing 55. Slidably mounted upon the upper end of the shaft 53 is a collar 56 having a reduced upper end 57 which extends through a bore 58 formed in the yoke 50. A keeper 59 has threaded engagement with the upper end of the reduced portion 57 and holds the member 56 firmly in position upon the mem ber 50. The upper end of the shaft 53 is provided with a nut to limit the upward movement ofthe member 56 and the upper end ofthe shaft and the nut are covered by a suitable ornamental cap 60.

"The collar 56 is provided with a downwardly extending externally threaded flange 61 upon which is mounted a tubular socket 62 which slidably receives theupper end of the casing 55. Mounted within the casing about the shaft 53' and extending between the members 52 and 56 is a compression spring 63. The wheel is rotatably mounted between the side members'42 of the forks and connected thereto at the juncture 64 of the arms 43 and 44 thereof. It will be seen that if the wheel 65 is driven upwardly, the sleeve 55 is free to move upwardly within the guide 62 and will be returned to its original position by the spring 63.

Mounted upon the cross bars 27 and'28 are spaced yokes 66, these yokes each embodying clamping ends 67 and 68 which firmly engage the cross bars 27 and 28 respectively. Each of the yokes is provided approximately centrally thereof with an opening forming a journal 69 for the reception of outstanding flanges 70 formed upon opposite ends of the'transmission and diiferential gear casing 71.

The casing 71 is formed in two sections 72 and '73 bolted together as at 71', the flanges 70 being formed upon the upper section 72 of the casing. The flanges 70 surround interiorly threaded openings 74 which. receive externally :threaded members 75 forming one-half of a thrust ball bearing.

sections 82 and 83 secured together by means of bolts 84 or the like, the members 82 and 83 being mounted upon the shafts 78 and 7 9 respectively. Each of the members 82 and 83 is provided with a recess 85 adapted to rotatably receive the shank of a bevel gear 86 mounted upon; the shaft and secured thereto as at 87. The. gears 86 form the drive gears of a differential; The inner ends of the shafts 78 and 79 are provided with fixed collars 88 held in position by pins 89 or the like to prevent inward movement of the gears 86. Mounted in the member 81 are stub shafts 90 provided with idler pinions meshing with the gears 86. It will be seen that the member 81 forms the ring gear of the differential. V n

Formed integrally with the member 82 is a gear 92 hereinafter to be referred toas the low speed gear; formed integrallywith the member 83 is a gear 93 hereinafter tobe referred to as the intermediate gear, and securedto the member 82 is yet a third gear 94 hereinafter referred to as the high speed gear. The high speed gear may if so desired be formed integrally with the member 82, but for thepurpose of convenience in assembling we prefer that this gear be formed separately and attached to the member. The'ends of themembers 82 and 83 are elongated to form sleeves95'extending adjacent the members 80 and spaced therefrom by collars 96. It will be obvious that looseness in the differential may be taken up by adjusting either of the thrust collars 75." w 1 Mounted in the section '7 3 of the casing 71 is a shaft 97 having its ends reduced and provided with thrust collars 98 similar to those provided on the shafts 78 and 79. One end of the shaft 97 projects through the casing as at 99 and is provided with'a clutch 100 to be hereinafter more particularlyv described. 7 a r I Mounted upon the shaft 97 for reciprocation is a composite gear 101 provided with keys 102 operating in grooves formed in the shaft 97 This composite gear member 101 is provided with a small gear 103 adapted tocoact with the low speed gear 92 and intermediate speed gear 104 adapted to 00 act with the intermediate gear 93 and a large 7 I -nally threaded to adjustablyreceive a memgear 105 adapted to coact with the high speed gear 94. The member 101 is provided with a groove 106 adapted to receive the avided with a member 113 which is pivotally connected with a link 114. The opposite end of the link is pivotally connected with one arm of a bell crank 115 and the other arm of the bell crank 115 is pivotally connect'ed with a link 116 which is operatively connected with a gear shifting lever 117. It will be obvious that by shifting the lever 117 with a drive receiving medium 119.

compress the plates and thereby operatively the shaft 97 and serving to'hold the tubular any of the pairs of gears may be brought into" engagement. It will also be seen that intermediate each engagement point there is a neutral point. at which none of the gears are in engagement.

The clutch 100 embodies an outer casing member 118 provided upon-its outer face.

The casing l18 is so formed as to provide an annular'internal chamber 120. Secured to the end 99 0f the shaft 97 is a member121 em 5 bodying an annular flange 122. The casing 118 is provided with aninwardly extending flange 123 adapted to abut the inner face of the flange 122. A removable collar 124 is casing 118 in position. A

Mounted within the chamber are the supplied for retainingthe flange 123 and disks 'of a disk clutch, each alternate disk 125 being secured to the casing 118 as by means of a screw or screws 126 extending The through notches formed in the'disks. casing 118 is provided withan upstanding flange 127 forming a guide for a tubular member 128having its outer end closed. The remaining disks of the .clutch are secured to this tubular member. The tubular member 1s provided with an outstanding flange 129which extends into-the chamber 120 and connect the tubular member with the casing 118. Extending inwardly from the outer end of the tubular member 128 is a guide 132 which receives a member 133 connected with member properly positionedand alined.

The outer end of the guide132 is interber 134. Against the member 134 bears one which is pivotally mounted uponthe' cross brace To the other arm 1360f the bell .crank:1s.p1votally connected one end of: a

link 137 the opposite end of the link being In the present instance we'have shown the clutch 100-providedwith a V. groove adapt-- ed to receive a driven belt 160 from the engine 159. Asthese belts in use become loose 12 it is necessary to provide. some meansfor tightening the same. Such a means we have provided by securing to the P cross brace 28 a member 139 having an opening 140 formed therein. Secured to the casing 71 1.30 i

end of one arm -of a'bell crank lever 115 operatively'c'onnected with thefoot pedal 120 by: means of oneof the bolts 71'1-is amem- 'ber 1&1 having pivotally connected thereto a screw 142 which extends through the open- 1 ing 1410 ofthe member 139. It willbe obvi- 5 ous that as the casing 71 ispivotally mountedadjacent its upper-ends inthe yokes 66,

a i that by adjusting the screw, the easing: may be shifted uponits pivot. ThusZby tightening the nut 14:3 upon the 'screw the lower LO 1 half of the casing: is shifted rearwardlyaand consequently the clutch *100 is moved away from the engineandlthe-belt liwillibe tightened.

The member 84: above mentioned embodies .thevertical portion: lttprovided npon its end with oppositely extending sockets, 145 which receive the endsofqsections r01? the member 14- of the side frames 112wand 13. Extending outwardlywat rightrangles tor-the sockets 1&5: and-lying: in approximately; the same horizontalsplane therewith is {Lrl'fllblllar member 146 also: formed integrally mvith the vertical portion 144 iof the member 34:. This tubular member isadapted :to receive the outeriend of the drive, shaft, beingfshown in present instance .as supporting'the iend of the shaft 7 8. It will be obviousithat-aflsimilar construction :is employed, upon the oppositeiside of the machine tocsupport the outer end of thevshaft 79., 1 v;

The tubular "member 14:6 :isz' provided: interiorly with ball bearing 147 rim-which thesha'ft 78 isjournaled. l The-aendsiofithe tubular member are closed iby means of screw plates-148 provided with packing149 which engagesthe shaft '78. The purpose of this packing is to' prevent thelossof the oil grease mused *for lubricating the shaft and which mayl be .intrdducedf through: the

-40 #greasecup 150 mounted in the tubular member; The outer end of the shaft178 is provideduwith ma sprocket gear 151, which drives a chain 161 .which passes about a v sprocket secured to the reari wheel 162.

The upper endofithewvertical member 144 is provided with the-eccentric 35 thereinbeforeamentioned. .The member 1&4: is provided at its upper end with a tapered'tubular socket 152 adapted to receive 7 the ta- 153 is provided upon its outer face with sa shaft'154eset at a point eccentric tol the axis thereof, and this shaft receives theforward end of the spring 36. The innerend of the t5 member153 is reduced as at 155 and threaded as at 156 for the reception of an adjusting nut 157. This adjusting nut. 157 bears against the plate 158 through which there A duc ed portion 155 extends.

c0 It will'beobvious ithatby looseningthe the position of the shaft15tthere6f and=acpered face of a member 153. "This member "therein shown and described,- we donotlimit ourselves to the particular construction herein set forth, but maynnake anysu'ch changes -W1th011t departing from the spirit of, themvention, or the scope of thesubjoined claims. ilNhatiwe claimiisz a Y r v i i 1. Inaa :vehicle of thecty-pe described, a iframe, drive shafts rotatably mounted in OiPPOSltG sides of 1 said frame, r a rear axle, -,drive.wheels-mounted thereon, chains connecting: said {drive Wheelsaandnsaid drive shafts, resilientfmembers secured to 1 said axle and to the; frame adjacent the a rear :end thereof and formin'ga support forthe rear end'of said frame, and-means for adjusting +said resilient fmembers rlongiitudinally of said frame, comprising eccentrics: notatably ;mountediin said-'framettowhich the forward "9 ends of said springs are secured. T" I y "2. Inna vehicleeof thetypef described, a

frame embodying ,a pair of *frame sections joined at their forward :ends, each of-said frame sections comprising upper and lower tubular members substantially parallel throughout :their length and rigidly connected; atuspaced points, the rearen'ds-tof said lower tubular, members :inclining rupward ly and; 'rearwardly, said upper tubular members vextending rearwardly -and joining J the incli-ned' portions of said lower 1 tubular 'members intermediate" the ends thereof and being secured: thereto, supporting members secured: to said upper. tubular members 1 forwardly of the'ends thereof and inclining npwardly and rearwardly, horizontal mem bers securedforwardlyto said supports and rearwardly'to the-upperends of the in- 'clinediportions of said lowertubular memr her, a transverse member connecting the upperends ofsaidsupports, and'a transverse I member connecting the 1 upper ends '1 r of the inclined portions of saidlowertubularmem- -ber,1said transverse members forming sup ports for theseats of the vehicle. 3.;Inavehicle of the type described, a frame embodying a pair of..frame sections joined at their forward endsyeach ofnsaid frame sections comprising" upper and lower tubular members substantially parallel throughout their length arid rigidly connected: at: spaced .pointsfthe' rear-ends of said lower tnbula'rumembers inclining upwardlyand rearwardly, saidai-upper tubular members extending rearwardly and joining the inclined portions of said lower tubular members intermediate the ends thereof and being secured thereto, supporting members secured to said upper tubular members forwardly of the ends thereof and inclining upwardly and rearwardly, horizontal members secured forwardly to said supports and rearwardly to the upper ends of the inclined portions of said lower tubular members, a transverse member connecting the upper ends of said supports, a transverse member connecting the upper ends of the inclined portions of said lower tubular member, said transverse members forming supports for the seats of the vehicle, springs secured to said horizontal portions and extending rearwardly of said frame members connected rearwardly to said springs and capable of a limited longitudinal movement with relation thereto, an axle secured to said last named members, and means adjustably connecting the forward ends of said members and said frame sections.

4. In a vehicle of the type described, a frame, an engine mounted forwardly therein, drive shafts mounted in said frame, a casing pivotally mounted in said frame and in which the inner ends of said drive shafts are rotatably mounted, differential gearing within said casing and connecting the inner ends of said shafts, a shaft rotatably mounted in said casing eccentrically to the pivotal point thereof, a driving belt connecting said shaft and said engine, gearing connecting said last named shaft and the ring gear of said differential gearing, and means for adjustably rotating said casing upon its pivot.

5. In a vehicle of the type described, a frame, an engine mounted forwardly of said frame, a unitary transmission embodying clutch, change speed gear, and differential elements, mounted substantially centrally of said frame, a pair of drive wheels, flexible frame, an engine mounted forwardly of said frame, a pivoted casing mounted substantially centrally of said frame, a clutch, a change speed gear, and differential elements carried by said casing, a flexible element connected between the engine and the clutch element, a pair of oppositely extending drive shafts connected with the differential, an axle, a pair of drive wheels mounted upon said axle, flexible driving elements connected between said oppositely extending drive shafts and said drive wheels, a rotatable eccentric shaft connected with said frame, and means connected between said eccentric shaft and said axle for adjusting the tension of said last named flexible drivin elements.

In a vehicle of the type described, a frame, an axle resiliently connected to said frame, drive wheels mounted upon said axle, bearings carried by said frame, drive shafts mounted insaid bearings, flexible driving elements connected between said shaft and said drive wheels, arms carried by said bearings, eccentric shafts rotatably mounted in said arms, and means connected between said eccentric shafts and said axle for varying the tension of said flexible driving elements.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT BIAGI. GIACOMO CASALIS. Witnesses:

FRANK B. Coons, JOHN R. COLGAN. 

